Diesel spill grounds Peter Pan panto at Canterbury
PANTO bosses are counting the cost after a diesel spill forced them to cancel at least three shows of Peter Pan at Canterbury.
Eighty gallons of fuel used to heat the 1,200-seat big top were spilled forcing producers to pull the plug on last night's show featuring Young Ones' star Ade Edmondson as Captain Hook.
As industrial cleaners arrived this morning the matinee and tonight's civic performance for council top brass and local media were also abandoned.
Peter Pan is expected to be grounded until Friday.
Thousands of ticket holders had to be turned away. It is estimated the diesel disaster could cost co-producers Emily Wood and her husband Paul Hendy at least £40,000 in lost ticket sales.
They had set up a giant 17-metre tall temporary "theatre tent" on the former Kingsmead car park while the city's Marlowe Theatre is being rebuilt at a cost of £26 million.
Emily said: "There was no danger but the smell of the diesel would have spoiled the performance for the audience so we cancelled last night's show. People were very understanding."
Disappointed panto fans will be offered an alternative date and a free drink.
The panto, which runs until January 17, opened on Saturday.
Emily added: "There was a small patch of floor behind the stage which was affected."
Show spokesman Sarah Munday said: "It was an accident. It was nobody's fault.
"Regrettably, there was a diesel spillage at the Arena on Tuesday evening. This was noticed immediately and the decision was made to cancel the performance as it would have been impossible for the audience to enjoy it comfortably.
"Ben Roddy who plays Smee made the announcement to the audience.
"We are very sorry to have cancelled the performance and that the full house audience did not see Peter Pan that evening.
"They will all be offered tickets for an alternative performance of the show.
"The audience left in a good-natured manner and we appreciate their patience and understanding. We are sure they will enjoy Peter Pan at another performance during the run."
Planning permission for the bright blue tent was given by the city council on October 13. Conditions included having "bunded" fuel tanks for the generators to reduce the risk of contamination from fuel spillage.
The Environment Agency objected to the plan.
It said: "The application fails to provide assurance that the risks of pollution are understood as no proper risk assessment was provided to demonstrate that no harm would be caused to the underlying aquifer (water reservoir)."
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by Tom, Canterbury
Friday, December 11 2009, 5:11PM
“Being a coach park, I'd imagine it's already equipped with the necessary drainage for a diesel spill? So no environmental damage, just disappointed people.
I was amazed to hear that everything got sorted out in just a couple of days!”
by Ian Ogilvy, Sturry
Friday, December 11 2009, 9:43AM
“You've got to expect these kind of things when you go to an outside show. My sister-in-law booked tickets for us to go this year. She was told by the box office that the show might be cancelled if there were high winds or snow. You just have to accept these things. After all it is winter. Needless to say I'm not hoping it's a white xmas!”
by Man of, Kent
Friday, December 11 2009, 8:44AM
“"If this had been petrol who knows what could have happened." I know ... it could have caught fire. Petrol does that sometimes.”
by Tom Bracey, Canterbury
Thursday, December 10 2009, 5:09PM
“Risk assessments never made anything safer. Accidental fuel spills do happen and the important thing is that it is dealt with quickly and properly. As for the noise issue - stop being such a misery and think of all the pleasure the show gives to thousands of people.”
by Raymond Cripps, Ashford
Thursday, December 10 2009, 1:27PM
“It sounds like the people running this big top aren't really up to the job. Not to have risk assessments for dealing with fuel oil is very worrying. If this had been petrol who knows what could have happened.”